RAWALPINDI: Following an exchange of gunfire between two groups on Saturday night that left one person dead and three others injured, police have booked more than 20 people under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and other laws.

The exchange of gunfire started between the two groups allegedly belonging to a land mafia and continued till the reinforcement of police reached the spot in Sangral village of Chauntra on Sunday. However, no arrests have been made so far. Panic and fear gripped the village as sound of gunfire could be heard from a long distance.

Three villagers were injured during the exchange of gunfire between the armed men from two groups belonging to private housing societies, said a villager.

Police Sub-Inspector Syed Imran Haider lodged an FIR saying that he with his subordinates was on patrolling duty at Adiala Road Sangral Mor when he was informed about the clash.

He said following the emergency call, he along with the police team reached the spot and found some employees of a private housing society along with 10 to 12 other people firing from their Dera on the other group.

The SI tried to convince them to stop firing through a loudspeaker. But the armed men from Anwar group and Blue World City group got provoked and continued firing with an increased intensity.

As a result, Tahir Amin, Asad Gul and Mohammad Shabbir were injured and taken to hospital by the police.

The police said none of the suspects had been arrested as they managed to escape.

According to preliminary reports, one person lost his life during the shooting, said a police spokesman. The police shifted the body of the deceased to the District Headquarters Hospital for an autopsy.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2022